The Prevalence and Risks for Depression and Anxiety in Hospice Caregivers

BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety are common concerns for hospice caregivers. OBJECTIVE: This study looked at the prevalence and variables associated with hospice caregiver depression and anxiety, as well as the relationship between the two conditions. SUBJECTS: We did a secondary analysis of preexisting data. MEASUREMENTS: Measures included the PHQ-9 and GAD-7. RESULTS: Nearly one-quarter of caregivers were moderately to severely depressed, and nearly one-third reported moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety. Risk factors for both depression and anxiety included younger age and poorer self-rated global health. Depression-specific risk factors included being married and caring for a patient with a diagnosis other than cancer. The sole anxiety-specific risk factor identified was geographic location, as caregivers living in the Southeast were found to have greater anxiety than those in the Midwest. CONCLUSION: Hospice providers' recognition of family caregivers as both coproviders and corecipients of care underscores the need to more fully assess and respond to depression and anxiety among caregivers.